Denture Care Maintenance And Hygiene

Question 1

What denture cleaners are available to patients?

Answer 1

Soap and soft brush

Microwave (no metal) for 20s

Ultrasonic cleaners

Chemical cleaning - bactericidal and fungicidal and most effective following mechanical cleaning

Chemical agents = alkaline peroxides not as good for calculus, acids are good for calculus, hypochlorites for bacteria or fungi, abrasive cleaners for stain removal

Always follow manufacturers instructions

Question 2

how should metal containing dentures be cleaned

Answer 2

Acids can damage metal, safe to use alkaline peroxide tablets for max 15 mins

Hypochlorites for 10 minutes

Soak in water overnight

Question 3

What factors may cause poor denture hygiene?

Answer 3

Xerostomia

Poor diet

Poor cleaning - can be from poor manual dexterity or lack of OH knowledge

Systemic health conditions

Smoking

Ill fitting dentures

Poor neuromuscular control

Question 4

What debris can form on dentures?

Answer 4

Plaque biofilm

Calculus

Food

Question 5

What is the process of debris forming?

Answer 5

Salivary proteins and bacterial byproducts form the pellicle first layer

Oral debris such as food, desquamated epithelial cells and MOs adhere

Plaque turns to calcified calculus

Bacteria and fungi colonise

Question 6

What oral issues can poor denture hygiene cause?

Answer 6

Caries

Periodontal disease

Denture stomatitis

Halitosis

Pain

Aspiration pneumonia
- denture is reservoir for respiratory pathogen

Question 7

Give wear and tear instructions

Answer 7

Give GDH information leaflet

Brush dentures daily over sink of water so they don’t drop and break after every meal, not with toothpaste but denture cleaner

Soak daily in cleaner max 20 min in alkaline peroxide for example

Leave out at night and leave in water unless specifically told not to

Visit dentist regularly